UPSC Prelims 2018 GS Paper I · Q55 of 100 General Science medium

In which of the following areas can GPS technology be used ? 1. Mobile phone operations 2. Banking operations 3. Controlling the power grids Select the correct answer using the code given below :

  1. (a) 1 only
  2. (b) 2 and 3 only
  3. (c) 1 and 3 only
  4. (d) 1, 2 and 3 ✓ UPSC's answer

Why the answer is (d)

• GPS provides not only position but also highly precise time signals from satellite atomic clocks.

• Mobile networks (1) use GPS timing to synchronise base stations and for location services.

• Banks and stock exchanges (2) use GPS time to time-stamp transactions and synchronise ATMs and trading systems.

• Power grids (3) use GPS-synchronised phasor measurement units to monitor and control grid stability in real time.

• Hence 1, 2 and 3, option (d).

Why the other options are wrong

(a) 1 only
Banking and power grids also rely on GPS timing.
(b) 2 and 3 only
Mobile networks also use GPS.
(c) 1 and 3 only
Banking systems also use GPS time-stamps.

Asked in the GS Paper I of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2018, held on 3 June 2018. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.

Reading the answer is not the same as getting it right under a clock. Practise this question with UPSC's negative marking, and anything you miss goes into an error notebook until you get it right twice.

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